Eastern North Carolina is expected to see snow again Tuesday, but the flakes are likely to be part of a wintery mix of precipitation in the local area.

The forecast for Onslow and Carteret counties is a mix of sleet and snow throughout most of Tuesday and then transitioning to rain Wednesday, according to meteorologist Lara Pagano of the National Weather Service office in Newport.

By mid-morning we should start seeing the (primary impacts), and that precipitation is likely to be in the form of a wintery mix, she said.

By Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service had moved Onslow, Carteret, Jones, Duplin, Greene, Craven and Pamlico counties under a Winter Storm Warning, with a winter weather advisory for the remaining forecast area beginning Tuesday morning.

According to the threat assessment summary issued late Monday afternoon, a mix of sleet and snow could begin early Tuesday morning, but the significant impacts will begin as intensity increases mid-morning.

Most of the snow and sleet accumulations are expected into the early evening.

Dangerous road conditions beginning Tuesday morning are expected to be the biggest impact.

By late afternoon into early evening the entire area may be impacted with significant snow/sleet accumulations, with the heaviest across the southern areas. The commute home Tuesday afternoon and evening may be heavily impacted, the National Weather Service said.

Snow/sleet accumulations of 2-4 inches are possible in portions of the area. The NWS said Monday that uncertainty remained about the snow/sleet amounts and may vary widely across the area depending on where snow bands develop and the duration.

As the forecast developed Monday, so did an increased potential for freezing rain in the area early Wednesday before transitioning to all rain. Coastal areas may see a brief period of freezing rain and sleet before precipitation turns to rain while inland areas may see a more extended period of freezing rain and sleet potentially into the afternoon, according NWS information.

Scattered power outages are possible from the freezing rain, particularly Wednesday morning.

Pagano said it looks likely the storm will clear the area quickly and be gone by Thursday.

Its going to be quick so the impact should be short-lived, she said.

Temperatures are expected to warm above freezing late Wednesday into Thursday, melting any accumulation that occurs. There could be some snow showers Thursday but impacts are expected to be minimal.